‘A normal OAP’…Brian (Image: Brian Mountford/SWNS)
Brian Mountford, 78, spent two years building up his collection – stuffing oak, ash, beech and birch seeds in his pockets during walks.
He started in the summer of 2022 after reading about the decline in butterflies and bumble bees in the UK.
The retired inventor, who suffers from arthritis, dried the seeds in his garden and stored them in his garage and loft in Leek, Staffs.
Brian Mountford and his hoard of conkers (Image: Brian Mountford/SWNS)
He is giving them to the town’s John Hall Wellness Garden, run by a mental health charity, to be planted by volunteers.
Brian, who is married with two grandchildren, said: “It has always been my plan over these past two years to do some good for the world. The world needs more people planting trees.”
He added: “I’m just a normal old age pensioner who is passionate about trees.”